News digest 27 October 2010
The digest starts with the latest economic
figures, before cuts come back again, there’s a decided transport
feel with rail, roads and air all in the news, before bad news for
the wind energy sector, disputes fizz up at Coke and the OUP, and
plumbers get a pay increase…
Growth forecasts – All the
papers report on the latest UK GDP figures which show a higher than
expected rise of 0.8 per cent for the last quarter. Many papers
herald it as proof that the UK economy is more resilient to the
cuts and the Telegraph
(p1) even warns that interest rates may have to rise. However a
couple of papers note that growth has slowed from 1.2 per cent in
the previous quarter, and that the rise was driven by the building
sector (Guardian p4) which
can be expected to be strongly hit by cuts, so this could be the
calm before the double-dip (Express p2, Mirror p6).
Fighting against the cuts –
The Morning Star
(p8-9) outlines how ordinary people are mobilising to fight back
against the cuts with reports on recent demonstrations, while the
Mirror (p6-7) continues its
Save our Services campaign and looks at the impact of cuts on the
real world with a feature on Morpeth where nearly half of all
workers in the town work for the public sector. The FT (p2) also highlights how there are
concerns about regional support, especially for deprived
regions.
Tougher benefits tests to save £8
billion – The Express (p1) leads on claims from
the Department for Work and Pensions that 75 per cent of incapacity
benefit claimants that have gone through a new test have been
judged fit to work.
Clegg rejects social
cleansing – Feeling the pressure at deputy prime
minister’s questions Clegg denies that changes to housing benefit
will force the poor out of London as Labour MP Chris Bryant cited
claims from London Councils that 200,000 people could be forced to
leave London (Guardian
p12, Indie p6).
50,000 sublet council homes –
And as the housing crisis worsens the Telegraph (p4) cites an Audit
Commission report that says as many as 50,000 council homes may be
being illegally sublet.
easyCouncil cuts quite hard –
And the Guardian (p1)
reports that the flagship easyCouncil Barnet has actually found it
rather difficult to make cuts and savings and the council is
actually spending more to make savings…
Arts Council cuts less than
expected – All 850 bodies regularly funded bodies
supported by the Arts Council in England will have to make cuts of
6.9 per cent, but warned that 2012 will be much more difficult
(Guardian p7).
Rail rise higher than
expected – And a few of the papers feature the latest
update on next year’s rail prices, a report from Passenger Focus
says the cap will be 10.8 per cent, with average rises of 10 per
cent on popular routes (Telegraph p9, Mirror p8, Sun p20).
Alstom trial continues – The
FT (p27) continues its coverage of
the court action over the Siemens trains, were orders taken for
granted?
All change – On the buses and
Go Ahead boss steps down. Keith Ludeman to be replaced by TFL’s
David Brown next July (Express p65, Mail p78, Indie p38, Telegraph b8) while the FT (p23) has an overview of London’s bus
sector.
Buses suspended after loyalist
riots - Attack on Translink worker in Newtownabbey comes
after another bus driver was hijacked on Monday night (UTV
News).
Ford drives into profit –
Carmaker sees sales for last quarter jump 70 per cent to £1.07
billion (Mail p79,
Times p49, Guardian p26, FT p27).
Air cargo drops – Moving to
the air weak consumer and business confidence has seen freight
traffic drop by six per cent last month, the second consecutive
fall, although passenger traffic up 10.5 per cent (Indie p36)
BA airport warning – BA
chairman Martin Broughton says UK should not put up with US airport
security demands like having to remove shoes and scan laptops
separately (Indie p17,
Guardian p13, Telegraph p11) while the Mail (p79) trails the cartel
ruling, November 9 is getting closer.
RAF intercepts – Planes
scrambled twice last week to see off Russian bombers in UK airspace
(Sun p13).
Foreign focus for defence? –
Defence secretary warns UK defence companies that unless they focus
on value for money the UK government will source from abroad
(Mail p77).
Vestas reverse – Wind energy
company announces major restructuring including the closure of five
factories and the loss of 3,000 jobs (Times p47, FT p25, Guardian p27).
Skykon suspends payment –
Danish turbine manufacturer is cash strapped (Telegraph b4).
Steel warning – ArcelorMittal
fears drop in demand for steel as US construction sector suffers
and growth slows in China (Times p40, Guardian p29).
FBU talks today – Over strike
action on November 5 (Sun
p13, Guardian p7, Telegraph p6).
Coke dispute spills over -
The recent strikes at Coca-Cola’s plant in north London have been
replicated across the UK and Europe today with demonstrations
scheduled at seven UK sites. Workers are concerned about lack of
consultation over the company’s planned restructuring, especially
as Coke remains profitable and expects continued growth (Unite
release,
Manufacturer,
Publican).
Oxford
University Press workers strike for fair
pay - 90 Unite members will begin a three-day strike at
Oxford University Press Distribution Services today (Unite
release).
Plumbers’ pay rises three per
cent – Some good news as negotiations see hourly rate up
to £14.55 (Unite
release,
Construction Enquirer, Building)
Rock boss off – Is Gary
Hoffman on his way out? Talk that the man who was brought in to
help rescue Northern Rock may soon be off to another City job
(Sun p56, Telegraph b4, Times p43).
Edited by Mik Sabiers
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